Hatchling Husbandry

Here you will learn what products we use and how we care for all of our hatchlings.


We keep all of our species, and subspecies, separated. This allows us to provide the absolute best care and ensure great health to all of our tortoises.

Products We Use

Enclosure

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Husky 54-gallon Tote (for hatchlings up to 6 months old)

Homemade Tortoise Table (for babies up to 1-1.5 years old)

Substrate

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Organic topsoil (not pictured)

Zoo Med Eco Earth Coco Coir

Zoo Med Forest Floor

UVA Basking Lighting

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Zoo Med 75-Watt Basking Bulb

Zoo Med 8.5" Reflector Dome Fixture

Zoo Med Light Stand

UVB Lighting

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Arcadia fluorescent T5 HO lights and fixtures

Humid Hides

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Sterilite 2.5 Quart "flip top" box (for 1-2 hatchlings)

Sterilite 6 Quart box (for 3 or more hatchlings)

Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss

Nighttime Heat

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Ceramic heat emitter

Enclosure Set-up

Substrate

50/50 mixture of organic topsoil and Coco Coir.

Depth of 5-6" (this allows burrowing).

Top layer of Forest Floor.

Misted daily to maintain humidity.

Temperatures

Basking spot is 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit (35-38 degrees Celsius).

Ambient temperature on cooler side is 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius).


We use a Ceramic Heat Emitter when needed at night during the winter season to keep overnight temperatures at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) in each enclosure.


We do not use, and also discourage the use of, "heat pads" or "heat rocks." Those items are a risk to burn the tortoise, and are a fire danger if they get too hot inside the enclosure.

Humid Hide

Learn how to make your own humid hide.

Humidity

Some subspecies such as the ibera require higher humidity. We keep the humidity in their enclosures at 80%.


Other subspecies such as the terrestris, marokkensis, soussensis, nabeulensis, graeca (Moorish), and cyrenaica, need drier and hotter environments and cannot handle excessive moisture. To avoid respiratory illnesses and other health concerns, we keep their enclosures warm and dry with very little humidity.

Other Hides and Decor

At least two darker, cooler hides are provided.


Other decor provides variety of terrain and landscape.

Security Camera

A security camera allows us to check in on our hatchlings at any time.

Hatchling Care

Daily Soaking

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We soak all of our hatchlings every morning in warm water for 30 minutes. This helps keep them hydrated and maintains healthy kidney function.

Food and Water

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A variety of food is provided, with something different for breakfast each morning. Food is provided after soaking, and is left for part of the day so hatchlings can graze.


Various items we feed include: natural weeds and flowers that we grow from seed, Mazuri (moistened), spineless prickly pear cactus (and cactus fruit), and "store bought" organic leafy greens (dandelion, romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, escarole, endive, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, and radicchio).


Fresh water is provided using a small terra cota plant saucer. It's shallow to prevent drowning, and wide enough to crawl into, should the hatchlings wish to soak themselves.

Calcium and Supplements

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We keep a cuttlebone in every enclosure for babies to nibble on when desired.


Calcium carbonate powder is lightly sprinkled on top of their breakfast once a month. We buy ours from Kapidolo Farms.


We also use Mediterranean Graze twice a week, which we get from TortRescue

Enclosure Maintenance

We spot clean our enclosures daily, usually while hatchlings are soaking. We remove any feces and uneaten crumbs of food.

Misting

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We use a pump sprayer to mist each enclosure (some daily, others weekly). This imitates a light rain.

Handling

We only handle our hatchlings when soaking them, cleaning their enclosures, or the occasional visit to the Vet when needed.


We otherwise leave them alone in their habitats to prevent stressing them out. 

Make Your Own Humid Hide

Materials Needed

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- Plastic container. (We buy ours at Home Depot).

- Ruler

- Sharpie marker

- Cutting blade

- Sphagnum moss

Mark and Cut the Entrance

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Use the ruler and Sharpie marker to draw the entrance to be cut.

Using the cutting blade, slice gently along the marked line.

BE CAREFUL. Not only are you using a sharp blade, but plastic can crack.

Fill with Sphagnum Moss

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Take handfuls of sphagnum moss, wet in warm water, squeeze any excess water, and place in the humid hide until it's almost full.

Place Into Enclosure

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Keep the sphagnum moss moist and warm at all times.

Easy Access

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These particular containers are great because of their pop-open lids, allowing for easy access to tortoises, maintenance of the moss, and cleaning.

Our Tortoise Tables

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Made using OSB Sheathing boards. The inside is coated in Flex Seal (to waterproof and prevent warping and molding). We lined the inner walls with vinyl tiles for extra waterproofing and provide a nicer look.

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All the needed components are added: substrate, water dish, humid hide, thermometer/hygrometer readers, lights, CHE, camera, and random decor.

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Tables are set up side-by-side to share the UVB light.

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We've added a shower curtain over the top of the tables to maintain the enclosed style habitat. Hot & humid!!!